Osimhen, Lookman Miss Out as CAF Unveils 2026 Men’s Player of the Year Shortlist

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have been left out of the 2026 Confederation of African Football Men’s Player of the Year shortlist.

CAF announced the nominees Wednesday, with Senegal and Morocco leading the race with three players each.

The omission comes despite both Nigerians playing important roles in the Super Eagles’ third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Lookman scored three goals and provided four assists in six appearances, earning a place in the tournament’s Team of the Tournament.

The 10-man shortlist features Senegal's Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr and Pape Gueye, alongside Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Díaz and Ismaël Saibari.

Other nominees are Ivory Coast's Amad Diallo, DR Congo's Yoane Wissa, Ghana's Antoine Semenyo and South Africa's Teboho Mokoena.

Hakimi, who won the award in 2025, returns to defend his title after another impressive year with Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco's national team.

The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 7 in Lagos, Nigeria, where winners across the various categories will be announced.